1. Speed compared to the flow
2. Attitude.
3. Working traffic or on a patrol beat.
4. Working a specific location everyone gets treated the same. No one talks themselves into or out of a cite.
5. 25 zone in a residential area, everyone better than 37 gets a citation. Minimum of 1.5 times the stopping distance in a bona fide zone where kids, animals and stupid people can ride, run out or just "magically appear" in the middle of a street.
6. Red light violations

I was pulled over in Montana for 120mph and 130mph Both times were to thank me for being "reasonable and prudent" as I had slowed way down when I passed other road users then sped back up once past them. Both times they told me to not speed after dark due to the increased risk of an animal strike.

in the uk doing 100mph plus will end up with you getting a ban and in some casees jail for a couple of weeks

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Reason # 579 why I'm glad we had an armed rebellion from those fascists. I also enjoy owning guns, hunting, keeping more of my income, carrying a pocket knife, and not being watched by a creepy orwellian security system.

Reason # 579 why I'm glad we had an armed rebellion from those fascists. I also enjoy owning guns, hunting, keeping more of my income, carrying a pocket knife, and not being watched by a creepy orwellian security system.

I was once stopped for doing 40-45 in a 25mph residential zone. In my defense, the road I was on, Thunderbird in Phx is 45 everywhere but a two block stretch which is designated residential, hence the 25 and I just flat missed the sign; had never been on that stretch before.

The officer was very polite after he got me pulled over. Said he blipped his siren at me when he was a block behind me...I didn't hear it. Then he pulled about a car length behind me and did it again; that I heard! Startled the shit out of me. I was wearing foam ear plugs. I pulled over immediately of course, turned the bike off, raised the front of my modular helmet and when he came up to me and started talking, I motioned that I couldn't hear him and asked if I could get off the bike and he said "Yes of course". I then removed my helmet and removed ear plugs. He explained the speed he'd clocked me at and the fact that I was 15-20 over the posted limit. I explained that I'd missed the sign and was riding (what I thought) was the posted limit. He suggested I not wear ear plugs in town because it's important to hear sirens, etc. I thanked him. He never even asked to see my license. I was geared up, respectful and not riding recklessly, so he let me skate!

I don't generally speed much, although I have friends that cruise about 100mph on their boxers when out west going coast/coast. I guess a lot of people do if their vehicle will cruise at 100. I generally cruise about 80 out there, which is 5 over. Back here about 72, which is 7 over. Never a problem...

I've been snagged twice now for standing on the pegs. The first time was in Cave Creek AZ last September, and the second was in some Maine berg last month. Both LEO's let me off, but gave me a good lecture... How the hell is a fellow to stretch and ease some butt burn after a few hours in the saddle?

WTF, I ride dual sport bikes. What's the big deal over standing on the pegs? :huh

If you're speeding and pass a cop, you're not paying attention, which is a bad way to drive/ride.

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This! I've found that the CHP cut me a lot of slack if I show situational awareness. Check your six and be patient / considerate in traffic. I've gotten a few passes I didn't deserve. ATGATT and a 12GS seem to help the cause too.

I was riding my '92 EX500, on hwy 75 north out of Tulsa, OK. On my way to work. Just having a good ride, was paying attention to the cars and the road surface, and didn't notice my speed.

Until I got to the exit ramp to get off the highway and go to work. That's when I saw the Tulsa County Mountie in his Tahoe with the blue lights on behind me. I pulled over and stopped (Although there was an escape route, I didn't think about trying it) dismounted and turned off the engine. Mr. County Mountie stepped down from the Tahoe and said "Better take that helmet off, you won't need it in jail!". Got my helmet off, and he asked if my parents knew I was out riding that fast. I told him I don't know, they live in (Small town 40 miles to the northeast). Handed him my license and insurance, and he asked my age, I said I would be 30 in a couple of weeks. He informed me I was riding like a teenager, then asked me what the getup I was wearing was for. I told him the pants and jacket, and gloves, and helmet, are all part of the protective gear that I wear every time I start the engine and mount the saddle. He then asked me if I knew my speed, and I told him I honestly didn't look down at the gauges. He informed me that I was going 94 when he caught up with me, but at one point I was pulling away and his Tahoe wouldn't go any faster. He then told me I had a choice. I could either go to jail, get my bike towed, get a $500 ticket, or he could yell at me and tell me NEVER to be found riding a bike that fast again.

So he cussed me up one side and down the other, and then... Let me go. For 94 in a 65. I still can't believe it two years later.

Actually, I'd like to amend my last post. Some of my very best friends have been LEOs. The vast majority that I've known and liked have been really good guys. (unless you feel the need to fuck with them). If so, YOYO, (you're on your own).

I actaully really appreciate this thread, especially hearing what officers think and practice. I live in Alaska and also ride often through the Yukon and usually for us riding is all about staying alive in case we have to stop someplace because it could be a long stretch before somebody's home or a town of some sort. I ride with a rifle and with gear all of the time because we are always looking for food, most guys are cool with bikers unless we're stupid. Which, I confess to practice on occasion. I support what officers are doing and I appreciate their service, so I always treat officers with respect and honor and if I screwed up then I own it. If I didn't I would definitely hear it from my buddies that teach at the Trooper's academy.

I noticed that I do tend to get away with more when I'm riding a bike compated to when i'm driving my wife's truck, though. I think people tend to have more to talk about when your on a bike. But, my mistakes are usually legitimate- I rarely deliberately break the law. The only time I take my bike over a 100mph is when I'm on a sweet stretch of tarmac south of Whitehorse. I don't know there's something about the quality of the tarmac, grit size and elevation etc. But, it'a stretch of the Alcan that is surrounded by nothing, but thousands of miles of mountains and trees. The few times I've done it it was during a safer part of the day, as opposed to evening-more critters, with nobody around and I didn't even have traffic coming from the opposite direction. But for those of you dropping into Skagway, be careful because the speed limit changes on the U.S. side it is 40 miles an hour coming down the pass. People think it is still 50 mph. I've been pulled over for that before and the Skagway cop was cool. You kind of have to be in a small town, if your a real dick you don't last long, in any public service position, at least in Alaska.

Not an LEO but was riding down the 101 into San Francisco last year and was cruising around 85 in the HOV lane. Look in the rear view mirror and see a CHP gaining on me; figured oh well - deserve this ticket, speed limit is 65. CHP was riding a BMW bike. He pulls up next to me, looks up and down at my Tiger 955i, give me a thumbs up and disappears. I did keep my speed down from that point forward, well until I was in the central valley.

Each cop is different. I am usually all about attitude. I'm a city cop that works the hood so I'm usually run to run to run but when I do do traffic stops (usually on my way to or from work) it's usually all about attitude. I won't pull over sport bikes. I am not even going to take the chance because most of the time they run. The risk is not worth the reward. MotoGP of this year I did have a guy on a drz400 ride a 12 o clock wheelie past me in shorts and a tshirt and of course no helmet. I pulled him over, he happened to be carrying concealed, so I secured his weapon which looked like he just got it out of a mud hole, and explained to him I ride too and how he is an idiot for what he just did right in front of me.. in shorts.. with no helmet... and referred to his boots that look exactly like tennis shoes. Also explained how he is passing through a neighborhood where no one has licenses or insurance and if they hit him they will NOT stop or give a shit. I went back to my car. Texted an advrider friend about it to share the laugh and take some time so he though he was getting a ticket. Watched him sweat over the fine he thought he was getting and then gave him his gun back and told him to quit being an idiot. Sometimes making people wait to think there getting a ticket is worst than cutting them a ticket real fast.

But moral of my long useless story I wrote. Be polite and if the cop wants to write you a ticket for 5 over, let him be a douche and write you for 5 over. Unless its of course in a school zone with kids present. Then your the douche.